This week, we caught up with former KNX Hero Steven Zonis and his award-winning therapy dog, Rudy!
We first met Rudy and his owner, Steven Zonis in 2023 when we featured them with Blue Line dogs. Therapy dogs like Rudy are called upon during times of crisis and stress to provide comfort and support.
“Rudy has been really training for this since he was 9 weeks old,” Steven told Heroes host Heather Jordan.
Rudy and Steven were called on nonstop during the wildfires in January to help firefighters, first responders, case workers, evacuees - anyone and everyone affected by the devastation.
“We tried to do our best to just make life a little easier for them as they came in off the fire line,” Steven said. “Sometimes they were exhausted and, you know, covered in soot and ash, and to take a few moments and just pet a dog and feel normal for a few seconds did definitely help in their wellness and make them feel just a little bit better.”
Since then, they've continued those weekly visits to hospitals and call centers where moments can be really tough.
“They pet them, they hug them, and it just makes life just a little bit easier to cope with,” Steven said.
This year, Rudy was recognized nationwide for his work as a therapy dog. He was voted as a semi-finalist in the American Humane Society's annual Hero Dog Awards.
You can learn more about Rudy here.
Listen to a special extended feature podcast with Host Heather Jordan in the audio above.
Check out all our KNX Heroes here.
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